ST. LOUIS -- Jordan Kyrou heard the boos, from the pre-game introductions to the continuous ones throughout the game.

He understood why, but it didn't make it any easier.

"It's definitely the toughest game I've probably played to be honest," Kyrou said, fighting back tears after the St. Louis Blues defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-2 on Thursday at Enterprise Center in interim coach Drew Bannister's first game behind the bench after taking over for the fired Craig Berube on Tuesday.

Kyrou, the Blues' leading goal scorer last season with 37 but has just five this season, made a comment following the morning skate when asked about his relationship with Berube:

Needless to say, Blues fans didn't take too kindly to it.

Kyrou was in the starting lineup and when introduced, the booing was obvious.

It continued throughout the game every time he touched the puck.

Kyrou, who had one assist in the game playing on the top line with Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich, wanted to clarify his comments from earlier in the day.

"I obviously respect 'Chief,'" Kyrou said. "He's been my coach the whole time I've been here. I respect everything he's done here. He's done a great job; he's won a [Stanley] Cup. All I really meant was I'm just trying to focus on my future and focus on what I can do to help my team win. That's all I really meant.

"He helped me in a lot of ways. He's really helped me round out my game, try to be a more complete player. I respect him as a guy, no hate towards him at all."

It didn't stop the fans from inflicting their anger towards the 25-year-old.

"Yeah, I definitely heard those (choking up)," Kyrou said. "That's not easy obviously, but I see where they're coming from of my comments (earlier in the day) on it. That's definitely tough. I love playing here, I love playing in front of the fans."

Kyrou didn't know of the context of what he said until after he woke up from his pregame nap, saw his phone was blown up with messages. He wanted to let the fans know his feelings.

"Sorry if it sounded in a bad way at all," Kyrou said. "I'm just really trying to focus on the future here and focus on what I can do to help our team winning and help get the wins for the boys.

"I mean, it's just tough. I love playing here so much, it's just tough to hear the fans booing me there."

Blues players were upset of the attention it drew after the game. The team had already been through enough emotions after Berube was fired and having to adjust to a new coach. It's why when Pavel Buchnevich scored in the third period to make it 4-1, Buchnevich was really trying to give Kyrou a goal for his own peace of mind.

"I just wanted to give 'Rouzy' the goal," Buchnevich said. "He go through tough time and I just want to give it to him."

Robert Thomas, the other linemate who had two goals and an assist in the game, said, "We worked hard for each other. 'Buchy' and 'Rouzy' worked their butts off, won a lot of battles, did everything right. I was on the receiving end of their hard work and I owe it to those guys. They played great tonight."

It was obvious after the game that the team had Kyrou's back, probably knowing he made a mistake and realizing that a comment blew up into something more.

"Obviously my teammates had my back," Kyrou said. "... I didn't really know what to expect (from the fans), to be honest."

The win Thursday came in interim coach Drew Bannister's first game behind the bench; he offered support for Kyrou.

"He's an outstanding kid," Bannister said. "He cares a lot about his teammates. He cares a lot about this organization and he cares a lot about the fanbase. He's disappointed in himself right now for his play. He is trying to find his way through what he's doing. 

"He's an outstanding kid," Bannister said of Kyrou. "He cares a lot about his teammates, he cares a lot about this organization, and he cares a lot about the fanbase. He's disappointed in himself right now for his play. He is trying to find his way through what he's doing."